Seminole Officials Ask Orange To Take Over Community Programs

SANFORD — While Seminole County is surrounded by governments interested in providing anti-poverty programs here, commissioners decided this week to initiate talks with Orange County.

A letter will be sent this week to Orange County's Community Affairs Department asking whether that county is interested in taking over Seminole Community Action Inc.'s community service programs.

Phil Brown, Orange County's assistant manager for community affairs, told commissioners Tuesday his county would be interested in expanding its programs into Seminole County if matters such as financing, level of commitment and authority can be addressed in an interlocal agreement.

Representatives of community action agencies in Volusia and Lake counties also said they would provide programs in Seminole County. The program directors said they were not vying for the opportunity to offer services. Their concern was that Seminole County residents have a community action agency.

SCA decided late last month to end its two-year struggle to continue operating.

The Florida Department of Community Affairs had cut off SCA's operating money in June 1983 after accounting discrepancies were not resolved. SCA continued to run Head Start, which the federal government finances.

But the state recommended that SCA not receive federal money for next fiscal year, leaving no responsibilities for the agency.

The Seminole County School Board is seeking to take over the Head Start program.

SCA had offered to weatherproof homes, job training and the Head Start school programs in Seminole County.